Ja Morant’s move to Portland may not look like a perfect puzzle piece on paper, but the Trail Blazers believe the people around him can help make it work.
At Blazers Media Day on Monday, Morant sounded eager for the reset, and that mattered. The tone was less about baggage and more about opportunity, with the guard coming across as focused on winning and eager to get going in a new setting.
For Portland, that matters as much as anything else. A crowded backcourt only works if the pieces fit, and Morant’s mindset suggested he’s willing to try.
The biggest reason for optimism might be the veterans already in the room. Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday give Portland something most teams can’t offer: two accomplished guards who can speak Morant’s language.
"Now having Dame and Jrue, guys who've been here for a while, it's definitely a plus," Morant said. "And they also are guards too, so I get to ask more guard questions now. And just spend time with them, get to pick their brain anytime I need to."
That influence showed up immediately, according to Morant.
"They talked to me pretty early on day one about that. I came in just trying to figure everybody else out and kind of fit in, and they didn't like that...
Dame for sure was one. I was just passing up shots.
I was just trying to feel guys out one day. It was actually the first day I was here, but he didn't allow that too much, so I had to start scoring."
That kind of push is exactly what Portland needs if it wants the best version of Morant. He’s not there to disappear into the background, and the Blazers don’t seem interested in that either.
There’s also a wider benefit here for first-year head coach Micah Nori. A fresh start for the coach and for Morant gives Portland a chance to build something new around experienced voices.
Lillard brings elite offense. Holiday brings defense.
Together, they give Morant a chance to keep growing off the ball while still being himself.
It’s a setup that echoes what Scoot Henderson got from having those veterans around last season. Morant still has to lead, but now he also gets to learn from two of the best guards in the league at the same time. For Portland, that’s the hope: that the environment helps Morant find his form again and deliver real value on the trade with Memphis.
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